Small step or big leap, we all need to do something. It has never been more important to change one, some or all of those daily habits of ours that are killing our planet, and hurting some of its inhabitants. For many people, going vegan is their step in a new direction, whether it’s the food they eat or the fashion they buy into. In fact, the term ‘vegan’ now gets almost three times as many Google searches as vegetarian and gluten-free. PETA recognises London as the most vegan-friendly city on the planet, with more specialist restaurants opening every year – discover some of our favourites here.

However, although it may have taken over kitchens across the city, thoughts about vegan living don’t immediately extend to our bathrooms, even though there are plenty of brands in the vegan beauty and skincare fields. And going green doesn’t have to mean sacrificing on quality. Meet the science-backed vegan beauty brands promising effective, long-lasting results that don’t cost the earth.

S’Able Labs

The debut beauty brand from Idris and Sabrina Elba, S’Able Labs was founded with the mission of highlighting the efficacy of ethically-sourced African ingredients via a range of genderless skincare products. The core collection offers just three products – a qasil cleanser, black seed toner and baobab moisturiser – creating a simplified but effective routine which promises to tackle hyperpigmentation and dryness while replenishing the skin’s barrier.

Flânerie

Leaping Bunny-approved and verirified by PETA International, ethics and sustainabilty are at the heart of everything that British beauty brand Flânerie does. Its tight edit of 18 everyday products aims not to overwhelm, but to offer options for every skin concern, which also pay close attention to scent and texture to provide a luxurious tailored experience everytime. Transparent labels also demystify the shopping experience so you’ll know exactly which product is the right one for you (if, of course, you can stop at just one).

Pai

Certified vegan by PETA, as well as offering 100 per cent organic formulations, Pai was founded by Sarah Brown after she spent years struggling to find products that didn’t irritate her own sensitive skin. Every single one of its products is independently patch-tested to ensure they’re safe for eczema-prone skin while being designed to help repair the skin barrier, boost resilience and keep your complexion protected from external aggressors.

Whamisa

K-beauty has taken the world by storm over the past few years – but few brands are as pioneering as Whamisa. Laying claim to Korea’s first organic-certified facility, it invests heavily in research and development, leading to a number of clean beauty breakthroughs, including natural organic fermentations for better absorption and the creation of plant-based, natural preservatives. Need more assurance? Its list of ‘never’ ingredients includes no fewer than 43 animal-derived, synthetic and artificial ingredients commonly found in mass-produced beauty products.

Twelve Natural Skincare

Formulated for sensitive skin by founder, cosmetologist and pharmacist Pedro Catalá, Twelve’s complete range is vegan. The collection is compact, with just nine hero facial products, each designed to tackle specific concerns, particularly stressed, sensitive and allergy-prone skin. Beyond face creams, oils and cleansers, the Twelve range is all-encompassing, including body serums, shower gels, hand creams and balms, so you can get the Twelve treatment from top to toe.

Tata Harper

Tata Harper sources the more than 300 raw ingredients that go into its formulation from 68 countries, proving its commitment to using only the purest, highest quality botanicals in its products. It also uses the highest levels of concentration possible to deliver maximum results without resorting to chemicals or synthetic ingredients. Happily, the range is also vast, ranging from essentials cleansers, toners and moisturisers to eye creams, lip treatments and body scrubs.

La Belle Lune

Creating its products in small batches from its base in Norwich, La Belle Lune is firmly of the opinion that Mother Nature knows best. Its entire line is vegan and cruelty-free, blending nutrient-rich plant oils, botanicals and extracts into powerful products designed to cleanse, hydrate and protect. Plus, each is packaged in gorgeous Miron glass bottles and recyclable tins that will look great on your bathroom shelf.

Evolve

Some natural haircare brands use honey in their products but Evolve avoids all animal-derived ingredients, as well as making all its cruelty-free and eco-friendly formulas right here in the UK. This commitment to the environment extends beyond its products as well, with Evolve moving into a new Eco Studio in 2019, which uses 100 per cent wind power and low-energy lighting to make the entire production process as green as possible. Oh, and did we mention that its hair and skincare offering is seriously effective, too.

Lily Lolo

Due to customer demand for long-wearing, highly pigmented formulas, vegan makeup brands are far less ubiquitous than plant-based skincare lines. Lily Lolo is a great UK-made mineral make-up range, famed for it eyeshadow palettes, which come in very versatile combinations. The collection is far more varied than that, however, with foundations, mascaras, blushers and condealers catering to every makeup bag need.

Ilia

Don’t have time for a multi-step skincare routine? Ilia takes the hard work out of beauty by combining powerful skincare ingredients with clean, sustainable makeup formulas to create the ultimate multi-tasking products. Its foundations, for example, contain niacinamide and allantoin, its vibrant listicks are made with hydrating organic castor oil and practically every one of its facial products offers SPF protection. We promise you’ll never be tempted by standard makeup again.

Read more: The best vegan restaurants in London

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